Fair Officiating

On ESPN today, John Ireland mentioned the officiating was fair in game 5 of the NBA Finals in LA and cited the equal number of fouls (28) and FT attempts (31) for each side.

Whoa! Slow down there.

If there were 10 penalties for 75 yards enforced on each team in a football game, would you automatically presume that the officiating was "fair" in that contest? If both teams in a baseball game get the same percentage of strikes called by the plate ump, would that be an example of "fair" officiating? If two random students are given the exact same score on an exam, is that an example of "fair" grading?

If your elementary schooler provides an answer of 168, while his friend answers 142 to the following question: 12 x 14 = ______, do you think both students should receive the same amount of credit? If they both answer 168, then they should both get the same amount of credit.

It's possible that equal number of fouls and FT attempts occur in a game that is officiated fairly. However, fair officiating does not imply that the fouls and FT attempts will be equal, nor does an occurrence of similar numbers of fouls and FT attempts imply fair officiating in the contest.

If the Lakers commit 35 plays that should be called fouls, but only get called for 28 of them, while the Celtics should be whistled for 42 but only 28 are enforced, is that fair?

Additionally, Ireland is assuming fouls and FT attempts are the only important numbers. KG got his 1st foul on a marginal (at best) play when Derek Fisher was out of control on a fast break. I took a look at the replay multiple times and couldn't see what they were calling. Then, he got his 3rd foul on an absolutely ridiculous call, a clean strip where there was no contact on a shot attempt by Pau Gasol. As a result of this "foul trouble", Garnett's minutes were limited (I guess you could argue Garnett shouldn't have been putting himself in position for the officials to screw the calls up, but that's a weak argument) and further depleted the Celtics inside (they didn't have Kendrick Perkins), helping the Lakers win the rebound war after being hammered on the glass early in the series.

Moving away from fouls, calling or not calling traveling can impact the game a few points here and a few points there. Also, neglecting three-in-the-key or illegal defense can impact a game in an unfair fashion. Was it "fair" that the refs missed it that Derek Fisher's shot hit the rim at the end of the controversial game against the Spurs (the Barry-Fisher no call game)? By missing that call, they robbed the Lakers of a chance to get fouled and have a chance to go up 3 late and the result was that Kobe had to battle the shot clock and the Spurs had a chance to win the game after Kobe missed.

Basketball is a complicated game and to look at a couple numbers at the end of the game and cite them as evidence of "fairness" by the officials is ludicrous. Ireland might be right in saying that the officiating was pretty even in game 5, but I'd much prefer him citing his observation of the game than trying to fool people with meaningless statistics.